Bus Rapid Transit Approved for Ashland Ave (Chicago, Kane: how much, moving)

[squirrels]

Originally Posted by Drover

I wish they could find a way to do it without getting rid of lane capacity. Taking out those infernal sightline-blocking bush-filled medians would be a good start.

I like those medians. They make it a lot easier to jaywalk on busy roads.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by emathias

Nov, 2014 is just the Loop semi-BRT bus route between Union Station and Streeterville.

Oops. That's what I get for scanning.

Originally Posted by emathias

I'd guess an 18-24 month timeline is more realistic. So if they started in spring, 2015, that means year-end 2016 or spring 2017 as opening dates.

Christ. That makes it significantly harder for me to get excited about.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

...
Christ. That makes it significantly harder for me to get excited about.

You and me both. Maybe the City will surprise us and actually finish the design, line up financing, plan it out to happen quickly, start next summer and complete it by the end of 2015, all the while sticking to their guns and implementing it as true BRT all the way down to pre-paid fares and no left turns. It'd be great if they did. But I'm not holding my breath.

[tribecavsbrowns]

What's wrong with the 9 as is?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by squirrels

I like those medians. They make it a lot easier to jaywalk on busy roads.

I like 'em well enough from an aesthetic standpoint. But what I don't like is nearly getting T-boned by a car that I wasn't able to see because there was foliage blocking my view of cross traffic.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

What's wrong with the 9 as is?

The same things that are wrong with most buses-- stops at nearly every block, has to stop at traffic lights, gets stuck in slow-moving traffic, etc. BRT would have none of those problems. Ashland is just a good place to do the first one, because the #9 has the highest ridership of any CTA bus line, and it can connect several El lines out away from the Loop.

This video, if you didn't see it imbedded in the story I posted, illustrates it well:


A Vision for Bus Rapid Transit on Ashland Avenue - YouTube

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

This video, if you didn't see it imbedded in the story I posted, illustrates it well:


A Vision for Bus Rapid Transit on Ashland Avenue - YouTube

I'm a bit concerned that they haven't thought through the "bus sends beacon to get traffic signals to change to green" concept.

Doesn't this screw with traffic management in a larger, more holistic sense?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

I'm a bit concerned that they haven't thought through the "bus sends beacon to get traffic signals to change to green" concept.

Doesn't this screw with traffic management in a larger, more holistic sense?

The light timing is so out of whack to begin with that I'm not sure it'll make a difference. IMO the loss of lane capacity is the bigger issue. I think they could improve traffic flow and light timing and probably even mitigate the loss of lane capacity by making some of the major thoroughfares and maybe some of the secondary thoroughfares one-way.

[Drover]

I get the feeling they'll probably be implementing the rush-hour parking restrictions on Ashland once this is implemented.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Drover

I get the feeling they'll probably be implementing the rush-hour parking restrictions on Ashland once this is implemented.

Will this even be possible given the parking meter privatization deal?